20 Points

Complete this text with the correct form of the verbs in brackets. There are two examples at the beginning.

Professor Jake K. McLear (00) is (be) a leading light in the Open Source Movement. He (0) devotes (devote) his life to the crusade against software giants: he (1) ________ (travel) the world from conference to conference arguing for Linux, Openoffice.org and other open source initiatives as the only sensible and cost-effective alternative to products like Microsoft Office. ‘There (2) ________ (be) no answer to the Open Source Movement,’ he says, ‘Microsoft is a giant which (3)________ (need) to be killed. It is least innovative in those areas it (4) ________ (dominate) – like Office and Explorer – and most innovative in new areas like gaming. It’s too big, too fat and lazy.’

Professor McLear (5)________ (be) an unlikely champion for open source software as his background was as an engineer for a large software company which (6)________ (sell) very expensive network solutions to corporate clients. He worked there for ten years before he (7) ________ (be) made redundant in a takeover of the company. ‘It

(8) ________ (be) the best thing which (9) ever ________ (happen) to me,’ he now says. ‘I (10) ________ (go) out to teach in Asia and found myself coming into contact with people who, incredibly, were contributing to software projects for free. They

(11) ________ (be) part of a huge worldwide network of committed and highly-skilled software writers who were willing to spend their time doing something they

(12) ________ (believe) in. Even at that time, they (13) ________ (have) great contacts with people in Silicon Valley.’

Professor McLear’s experience in Asia (14) ________ (be) a turning-point in his life. Since then, he (15) ________ (give) hundreds of presentations and written many papers on what he calls the ‘this living breathing collective of cool people.’ At the moment he (16) ________ (write) a book about his experiences and achievements. He (17) ________ (write) about half of it and (18) ________ (have) offers from interested publishers. ‘Open source (19) ________ (be) the best experience of my life and, at the moment, this book (20)________ (be) the second best,’ he laughs, as he packs his bags for another flight to another city and another conference.

Part 2 Writing

Task 1

5 Points

Write an email based on the following brief. Write about 50–60 words.

Your friend Diane, who works in another company, is thinking of taking a year off to travel the world and reassess her career.

Write an email to Diane:

• Say that you think it is a good idea

• Suggest good reasons for taking a year off

• Mention some things she could do

• Wish her luck

To: Diane
Cc:
Subject: Year off
Dear

Task 2